FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Report No: PAD00220 INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT and INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION PROJECT APPRAISAL DOCUMENT ON A PROPOSED LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF US$25 MILLION AND A PROPOSED SHORTER MATURITY LOAN IN THE AMOUNT OF SDR14.4 MILLION (US$18.8 MILLION EQUIVALENT) AND A PROPOSED CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF SDR4.8 MILLION (US$6.2 MILLION EQUIVALENT) TO THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI FOR THE FIJI CRITICAL BRIDGES RESILIENCE PROJECT (P180979) IN SUPPORT OF THE PACIFIC CLIMATE RESILIENT TRANSPORT PROGRAM (PCRTP), SERIES OF PROJECTS DECEMBER 20, 2024 Transport East Asia And Pacific This document has a restricted distribution and may be used by recipients only in the performance of their official duties. Its contents may not otherwise be disclosed without World Bank authorization. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (Exchange Rate Effective {November 30, 2024}) Currency Unit = FJD FJD 2.27 = US$ 1 US$ 1.31391 = SDR 1 FISCAL YEAR January 1 - December 31 Regional Vice President: Manuela V. Ferro Regional Director: Sudeshna Ghosh Banerjee Country Director: Stephen N. Ndegwa Practice Manager: Benedictus Eijbergen Task Team Leader(s): Sean David Michaels, Tawia Addo-Ashong ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ADB Asian Development Bank AM Accountability Mechanism APA Alternative Procurement Arrangements Cat DDO Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option CERC Contingent Emergency Response Component CETVET College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training CPF Country Partnership Framework DA Designated Account DFIL Disbursement and Financial Information Letter DSC Design and Supervision Consultant EIRR Economic Internal Rate of Return EEO Equal Employment Opportunities ESCP Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan FM Financial Management FRA Fiji Roads Authority GBV Gender-based Violence GDP Gross Domestic Product GFDRR Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery GHG Greenhouse Gas GIS Geographic Information System GIIP Good International Industry Practice GM Grievance Mechanism GoF Government of Fiji GRS Grievance Redress Service HRTS Human Resources and Training Subcommittee IDA International Development Association IFR Interim Financial Reports LARPs Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plans LDS Low Emission Development Strategy LFP Labor Force Participation LMP Labor Management Procedures M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MoF Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics MoU Memorandum of Understanding MPA Multiphase Programmatic Approach MPWTMS Ministry for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services NAP National Adaptation Plan NCB National Competitive Bidding NDC Nationally Determined Contribution NPV Net Present Value PAM Project Administration Manual PCRTP Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program PDO Project Development Objective PIC Pacific Island Countries PMU Project Management Unit POM Project Operations Manual PSC Project Steering Committee RtE Road to Equality RTSS Resilient Transport Sector Strategy SCD Systematic Country Diagnostic SEA/SH Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment SEP Stakeholder Engagement Plan SOP Series of Projects SORT Systematic Operations Risk-Rating Tool TC Tropical Cyclone TA Technical Assistance TIIP Transport Infrastructure Investment Project UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change VA Vulnerability Assessment WA Withdrawal Applications WIC Women in Construction The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) TABLE OF CONTENTS DATASHEET ........................................................................................................................... i I. STRATEGIC CONTEXT ................................................................................................... 10 A. Project Strategic Context ...............................................................................................................10 B. Sectoral and Institutional Context .................................................................................................11 II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................ 13 A. Project Development Objective .....................................................................................................13 B. Theory of Change and PDO Indicators ...........................................................................................13 C. Project Beneficiaries ......................................................................................................................14 D. Project Components ......................................................................................................................14 E. Role of Partners ..............................................................................................................................16 F. Lessons Learned and Reflected in the Project Design....................................................................17 III. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................ 17 A. Institutional and Implementation Arrangements ..........................................................................17 B. Results Monitoring, Evaluation, and Verification Arrangements ..................................................19 C. Disbursement Arrangements .........................................................................................................20 IV. PROJECT APPRAISAL SUMMARY .................................................................................. 20 A. Technical and Economic Analysis...................................................................................................20 B. Fiduciary .........................................................................................................................................24 C. Environmental, Social and Legal Operational Policies ...................................................................25 Grievance Redress Services:...............................................................................................................27 V. KEY RISKS .................................................................................................................... 27 ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................ 29 ANNEX 2: IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND SUPPORT PLAN .................................. 36 ANNEX 3: GENDER ANALYSIS .............................................................................................. 43 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padbasicinformation#doctemplate DATASHEET BASIC INFORMATION Project Operation Name Beneficiary(ies) Fiji Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project Environmental and Social Risk Operation ID Financing Instrument Classification Investment Project P180979 Substantial Financing (IPF) @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padprocessing#doctemplate Financing & Implementation Modalities [ ] Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) [ ] Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) [✓] Series of Projects (SOP) [ ] Fragile State(s) [ ] Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) [✓] Small State(s) [ ] Financial Intermediaries (FI) [ ] Fragile within a non-fragile Country [ ] Project-Based Guarantee [ ] Conflict [ ] Deferred Drawdown [ ] Responding to Natural or Man-made Disaster [✓] Alternative Procurement Arrangements (APA) [ ] Hands-on Expanded Implementation Support (HEIS) Expected Approval Date Expected Closing Date 31-Jan-2025 31-Dec-2031 Bank/IFC Collaboration No Proposed Development Objective(s) Improve the resilience of Fiji's road network to natural hazards and climate change with a focus on critical bridges. Components Component Name Cost (US$) i The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions 180,000,000.00 Spatial and Sector Planning Tools 7,500,000.00 Strengthening the Enabling Environment 7,000,000.00 @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padborrower#doctemplate Organizations Borrower: Republic of Fiji Contact Title Telephone No. Email Shiri Krishna Gounder Permanent Secretary 6793221133 shiri.gounder@finance.gov.fj Implementing Agency: Fiji Roads Authority Contact Title Telephone No. Email Atunaisa Nayago Board Chairman and 6793100114 Atunaisa.Nayago@fijiroads.org Acting CEO @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padfinancingsummary#doctemplate PROJECT FINANCING DATA (US$, Millions) Maximizing Finance for Development Is this an MFD-Enabling Project (MFD-EP)? No Is this project Private Capital Enabling (PCE)? No SUMMARY Total Operation Cost 199.56 Total Financing 199.56 of which IBRD/IDA 50.00 Financing Gap 0.00 DETAILS World Bank Group Financing International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 25.00 International Development Association (IDA) 25.00 ii The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) IDA Credit 6.20 IDA Shorter Maturity Loan (SML) 18.80 Non-World Bank Group Financing Counterpart Funding 15.06 Borrower/Recipient 15.06 Other Sources 134.50 Asian Development Bank 134.50 IDA Resources (US$, Millions) Guarantee Credit Amount Grant Amount SML Amount Total Amount Amount National Performance-Based 6.20 0.00 18.80 0.00 25.00 Allocations (PBA) Total 6.20 0.00 18.80 0.00 25.00 @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@paddisbursementprojection#doctemplate Expected Disbursements (US$, Millions) WB Fiscal Year 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Annual 2.80 15.00 15.00 5.50 5.50 2.00 2.00 2.20 Cumulative 2.80 17.80 32.80 38.30 43.80 45.80 47.80 50.00 @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padclimatechange#doctemplate PRACTICE AREA(S) Practice Area (Lead) Contributing Practice Areas Transport CLIMATE Climate Change and Disaster Screening iii The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Yes, it has been screened and the results are discussed in the Operation Document @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padrisk#doctemplate SYSTEMATIC OPERATIONS RISK- RATING TOOL (SORT) Risk Category Rating 1. Political and Governance  Moderate 2. Macroeconomic  Substantial 3. Sector Strategies and Policies  Low 4. Technical Design of Project or Program  Moderate 5. Institutional Capacity for Implementation and Sustainability  Moderate 6. Fiduciary  Substantial 7. Environment and Social  Substantial 8. Stakeholders  Moderate 9. Overall  Moderate @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padcompliance#doctemplate POLICY COMPLIANCE Policy Does the project depart from the CPF in content or in other significant respects? [ ] Yes [✓] No Does the project require any waivers of Bank policies? [ ] Yes [✓] No ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL Environmental and Social Standards Relevance Given its Context at the Time of Appraisal E & S Standards Relevance ESS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Relevant Impacts ESS 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant iv The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) ESS 2: Labor and Working Conditions Relevant ESS 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant ESS 4: Community Health and Safety Relevant ESS 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Relevant ESS 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Relevant Resources ESS 7: Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Relevant Traditional Local Communities ESS 8: Cultural Heritage Relevant ESS 9: Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant NOTE: For further information regarding the World Bank’s due diligence assessment of the Project’s potential environmental and social risks and impacts, please refer to the Project’s Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary (ESRS). @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padlegalcovenants#doctemplate LEGAL Legal Covenants Sections and Description Section I.A.2(b) of Schedule 2 to the Loan Agreement: The Borrower shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to recruit or appoint not later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, and thereafter maintain throughout Project implementation, the following key staff to the PMU: (i) a Project manager; (ii) social safeguards specialist; (iii) environmental safeguards specialist; (iv) contracts and portfolio manager; and (v) a Project accountant, each with qualifications, experience and terms of reference satisfactory to the Bank. Section I.D.1 of Schedule 2 to the Loan Agreement: The Borrower shall, by not later than three (3) months after the Effective Date for the first year of Project implementation, and October 31 of each subsequent year during the Project implementation period, cause the Project Implementing Entity to prepare and furnish to the Bank, for the Bank’s review and no-objection, an annual work plan and budget (“Annual Work Plan and Budget”). Section II.2 of Schedule 2 to the Loan Agreement: The Borrower shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, carry out, jointly with the Bank, not later than three (3) years after the Effective Date, or such other period as may be agreed with the Bank, a mid-term review of the Project (“Mid-Term Review”) to assess the status of Project implementation, as measured against the indicators acceptable to the Bank, and compliance with the legal covenants included or referred to in this Agreement. Section I.A.2(b) of Schedule 2 to the Financing Agreement: The Recipient shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to recruit or appoint not later than three (3) months after the Effective Date, and thereafter maintain throughout Project implementation, the following key staff to the PMU: (i) a Project manager; (ii) social safeguards specialist; (iii) environmental safeguards specialist; (iv) contracts and portfolio manager; and (v) a Project accountant, each with qualifications, experience and terms of reference satisfactory to the Association. Section I.D.1 of Schedule 2 to the Financing Agreement: The Recipient shall, by not later than three (3) months after the Effective Date for the first year of Project implementation, and October 31 of each subsequent year during the Project v The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) implementation period, cause the Project Implementing Entity to prepare and furnish to the Association, for the Association’s review and no-objection, an annual work plan and budget (“Annual Work Plan and Budget”). Section II.2 of Schedule 2 to the Financing Agreement: The Recipient shall, and shall cause the Project Implementing Entity to, carry out, jointly with the Association, not later than three (3) years after the Effective Date, or such other period as may be agreed with the Association, a mid-term review of the Project (“Mid-Term Review”) to assess the status of Project implementation, as measured against the indicators acceptable to the Association, and compliance with the legal covenants included or referred to in this Agreement. @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padconditions#doctemplate Conditions Type Citation Description Financing Source The Financing Agreement has been executed and delivered and all conditions precedent to its Article 5.01(a) of the Loan effectiveness or to the right Effectiveness IBRD/IDA Agreement: of the Borrower to make withdrawals under it (other than the effectiveness of this Agreement) have been fulfilled. The Subsidiary Agreement referred to in Section I.C. of Schedule 2 to this Agreement has been executed and delivered on Article 5.01(b) of the Loan Effectiveness behalf of the Borrower and IBRD/IDA Agreement: the Project Implementing Entity, and has become effective and binding upon the parties in accordance with its terms. No withdrawal shall be made for Eligible Expenditures under Category (1), unless and Section III.B.1(b) of until all funds in Category Disbursement Schedule 2 to the Loan IBRD/IDA (1) in the withdrawal table Agreement: set forth in Section III.A of Schedule 2 of the Financing Agreement have been fully disbursed. vi The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) No withdrawal shall be made for Eligible Expenditures under Category (2), until and Section III.B.1(c) of unless the Bank has Disbursement Schedule 2 to the Loan IBRD/IDA notified the Borrower that Agreement: the conditions set forth in Section 5.15 (a) of the General Conditions have been fulfilled. No withdrawal shall be made for Complementary Financing for the Cat DDO under Category (3), until and unless: (i) the Borrower has furnished to the Bank a request to reallocate and thereafter withdraw all or part of the Unwithdrawn Loan Balance for the Complementary Financing Section III.B.1(d) of for the Cat DDO, and such Disbursement Schedule 2 to the Loan notice specifies the Cat IBRD/IDA Agreement: DDO Legal Agreement; and (ii) the Bank has accepted said request and notified the Borrower thereof, and is satisfied, based on evidence satisfactory to it, that the conditions precedent to withdrawal of the financing provided under the Cat DDO Legal Agreement have been fulfilled. The Co-financing Agreement has been executed and delivered and all conditions precedent to Article 5.01(a) of the Effectiveness its effectiveness or to the IBRD/IDA Financing Agreement: right of the Recipient to make withdrawals under it (other than the effectiveness of this vii The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Agreement) have been fulfilled. The Subsidiary Agreement referred to in Section I.C. of Schedule 2 to this Agreement has been executed and delivered on Article 5.01(b) of the Effectiveness behalf of the Recipient and IBRD/IDA Financing Agreement: the Project Implementing Entity, and has become effective and binding upon the parties in accordance with its terms. The Recipient has caused the Project Implementing Entity to prepare and adopt Article 5.01(c) of the Effectiveness a Project Administration IBRD/IDA Financing Agreement: Manual in accordance with Section I.B of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. No withdrawal shall be made for Eligible Expenditures under Category (2), until and Section III.B.1(b) of Scheule unless the Association has Disbursement 2 to the Financing IBRD/IDA notified the Recipient that Agreement: the conditions set forth in Section 5.15 (a) of the General Conditions have been fulfilled. No withdrawal shall be made for Complementary Financing for the Cat DDO under Category (3), until and unless: (i) the Recipient has furnished to the Section III.B.1(c) of Scheule Association a request to Disbursement 2 to the Financing IBRD/IDA reallocate and thereafter Agreement: withdraw all or part of the Unwithdrawn Credit Balance for the Complementary Financing for the Cat DDO, and such notice specifies the Cat viii The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) DDO Legal Agreement; and (ii) the Association has accepted said request and notified the Recipient thereof, and is satisfied, based on evidence satisfactory to it, that the conditions precedent to withdrawal of the financing provided under the Cat DDO Legal Agreement have been fulfilled. I ix The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) I. STRATEGIC CONTEXT A. Project Strategic Context 1. The Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project will enhance the resilience of four bridges on Viti Levu 1 against natural hazards and climate change and set the stage for a scale-up of similar investments over the long-term. The Project builds on the completed Transport Infrastructure Investment Project (TIIP), which included a design service contract for 40 bridges and 3 jetties. Four of those bridges 2 considered most critical for near-term sector development will be constructed under this project, and are highlighted in Figure 1. They are among the longest and most trafficked in the road network and provide vital connectivity among Suva (Fiji’s capital), other primary cities (e.g., Lautoka, Nadi, and Sigatoka), the International Airport, and major critical infrastructure and essential services. Measures to enhance the resilience of these bridges will be complemented by robust technical assistance program that will strengthen the Government’s capacity to manage a more resilient road network. The remaining bridges and jetties are envisaged to be upgraded in future projects. 2. The Project is crucial for Fiji, addressing the need for resilient infrastructure in a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change3. The Project supports economic development by ensuring reliable and safe bridge infrastructure, which is vital for market connectivity, reducing transportation costs, and enhancing consumer confidence. Fiji's economy, recovering from COVID-19 impacts, relies heavily on tourism, which is threatened by natural disasters, labor shortages, and global economic challenges. Fiji faces frequent tropical cyclones, rising sea levels, floods, and seismic activities, imposing high costs on key economic sectors and affecting vulnerable communities4. Average annual losses from these hazards are estimated at US$220 million, or 5 percent of GDP5, highlighting the importance of resilient infrastructure to mitigate severe damage from extreme weather events. 3. The Project is jointly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. This strategic partnership with ADB builds on the successful collaboration in the completed TIIP, further strengthening the commitment to enhance Fiji's transport infrastructure resilience. The combined efforts aim to leverage both institutions' expertise and resources to address the critical need for resilient infrastructure in the face of increasing climate-related challenges. This collaboration underscores a shared vision for sustainable development and long- term resilience in Fiji's transport sector. 1 Viti Levu is the largest island in Fiji and the site of the country’s capital, Suva. 2 The four bridges are Medraukutu Bridge, Lami Bridge, Viseisei Bridge, and Sabeto Bridge. 3 European Commission. 2020. INFORM Index for Risk Management. Fiji Country Profile. https://drmkc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/inform-index/INFORM- Risk/CountryProfile/moduleId/1767/id/419/controller/Admin/action/CountryProfile. 4 IPCC 2021– Sixth Assessment Report of the Working Group 1, Summary for Policy Makers; The World Bank Group and Asian Development Bank 2020 - Climate Risk Profile: The Pacific Region; World Bank. 2017. Climate change and disaster management. Pacific Possible; Background Paper 6. 5 Climate Vulnerability Assessment – Making Fiji Climate Resilient, 2017. Page 10 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Figure 1. Project Map B. Sectoral and Institutional Context 4. The road network is vital to Fiji’s economic development and provides access to critical infrastructure and essential services. Fiji is one of the world’s 20 most tourism-dependent nations. The sector directly and indirectly contributes nearly 40 percent of the annual GDP.6 It accounted for approximately US$1.43 billion (FJ$3.25 billion) of earnings in 20227 and supports nearly one-third of the labor force8. A resilient and reliable road network is 6 World Travel and Tourism Council, 2019. 7 Government of Fiji, Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport. 2023. Fiji International Visitors Survey. 8 Government of Fiji, Fijian Tourism Report, 2021. Page 11 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) needed to facilitate tourism growth, market connectivity, and consumer confidence in tourism offerings and infrastructure. 5. Many of Fiji’s bridges have suffered from a lack of maintenance, but the Fiji Road Authority (FRA) is working to address the challenge. Fiji’s road network consists of 1387 bridges, out of which an estimated 100 bridges are required to be urgently renewed, repaired or replaced. 9 For several years prior to 2012, maintenance and resealing work had been deferred and the majority of roads and bridges are now in fair or poor condition, which contributes to higher vehicle operating costs and longer travel times. In 2023, the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index ranked Fiji 123 (out of 139 countries), underlining the country’s high cost of logistics and transportation10. The Government of Fiji is addressing these needs as outlined in the Fiji National Development Plan 2025-202911, and through upgrades under TIIP and other investments. 6. FRA was established in 2012 under the Ministry for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services (MPWTMS) and made responsible for maintaining and constructing roads throughout the country. FRA’s objective is to ensure that rehabilitation, reconstruction or upgrading works are appropriately designed for improved safety and to make these assets more resilient to natural hazards and climate change. FRA has implemented a program to reduce the backlog of maintenance. The TIIP, jointly financed by the World Bank and ADB and approved in 2015, helped addressed the backlog of road and bridge maintenance. 7. Fiji’s road network, including its bridges, is vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change. Recent geotechnical investigations have indicated increased seismic risk to bridges crossing river estuaries within Viti Levu, showing generally deep and weak alluvial soils at high risk of liquefaction in extreme seismic events. In addition, average annual asset losses in the transport sector from tropical cyclones are estimated to be FJ$152 million (1.6 percent of GDP)12. Transport infrastructure, especially roads and bridges, bear the brunt of impacts from disasters and climate change. Some impacts to Fiji’s road network are traffic disruptions due to flooding, increasing maintenance requirements due to more frequent washout and inundation of coastal structures and bridges, overflow of side drains and cross drainage works and roadblocks due to landslides. For example, the damage to the transport sector from Tropical Cyclone (TC) Winston in 2016 was estimated at FJ$127 million, with more than 80 percent attributed to land transport alone. Given the lack of redundancy of the Fijian road network, the economic costs resulting from transport infrastructure damage can be much higher than the direct asset replacement costs. In addition, several bridges under the design service contract in TIIP are currently under administrative risk mitigation controls such as load limit restrictions to ensure their safe use. Such bridges are and will increasingly be vulnerable to the effects of flooding and associated debris impacts common to such events. Coastal bridges are likely to be more vulnerable to higher-level coastal hazards, corrosion, and wave action in storm events, while more generally, the impact of riverine flooding on bridge abutment and foundation scouring is likely to increase. Asset losses can be significantly reduced only if most of the vulnerable bridges are progressively upgraded to higher standards and effectively maintained over time. 9 FRA Asset Management Plan (Version 1), 2018. 10 World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI), 2023. 11 Fiji National Development Plan 2025-2029, 2024. 12 Climate Vulnerability Assessment: Making Fiji Climate Resilient, 2022. Page 12 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION A. Project Development Objective Improve the resilience of Fiji's road network to natural hazards and climate change with a focus on critical bridges. B. Theory of Change and PDO Indicators 8. Enhancing the resilience of bridges on Viti Levu against natural hazards and climate change will improve the resilience of Fiji’s road network. The Results Chain outlining the activities of the program is included in Figure 2 below. Figure 2. The Results Chain 9. Progress will be measured against the following PDO-level results indicators (see Annex 1 for the Results Framework). (a) Number of critical bridges newly constructed or rehabilitated with measures to improve resilience to natural hazards and climate change (Number); (b) Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services (Number); and Page 13 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) (c) People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure (Number). C. Project Beneficiaries 10. The Project aims to enhance the resilience of critical bridge infrastructure on Viti Levu, Fiji's largest and most populated island. The Project will benefit approximately 555,000 people who extensively use these bridges, with improved design aimed at making travel more reliable, including during severe weather events. Additionally, the Project will specifically benefit women, youth, and people with disabilities, who often face greater challenges in accessing reliable transportation. By improving the bridges’ resilience to climate change and natural hazards, the Project will enhance their mobility and access to essential services, promoting social inclusion and economic opportunities. The Project also includes gender-sensitive and inclusive design features to ensure the needs of all users are met, thereby supporting sectors such as tourism, agriculture, commerce, healthcare, education, and social connectivity, and creating a more resilient and equitable transportation system for everyone. Furthermore, the Project will create increased employment opportunities for women, empowering them economically and contributing to gender equality in the workforce. D. Project Components 11. The Project is part of the Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program (PCRTP) Series of Projects (SOP), which has four broad pillars that focus on increasing resilience in the transport sector through: (i) utilizing spatial and sector planning tools; (ii) investing in climate resilient infrastructure; (iii) strengthening the enabling environment; and (iv) supporting post-disaster recovery. The SOP supports the systematic improvement of resilience across the countries included within the program to address commonly shared issues. It offers a multi-pronged approach considering risks in a holistic manner through integration of resilient transport interventions into decision-making and implementation. The Project is aligned with the overall SOP objectives, with activities adapted to reflect Fiji’s realities. 12. The Project will be jointly financed between ADB, the World Bank, and the Government of Fiji, with ADB contributing US$134.5 million (comprised of US$120 million in concessional lending and US$14.5 million in grant financing), the World Bank providing US$50 million, and the Government of Fiji contributing US$15.06 million as counterpart financing. The PDO is to be achieved through the following three components: (i) Component 1: Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions, (ii) Component 2: Spatial and Sector Planning Tools, and (iii) Component 3: Strengthening the Enabling Environment. 13. Component 1: Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions (Total: US$180 million, comprised of: US$25 million equivalent in concessional lending from IDA, US$25 million in IBRD loan, US$110 million in concessional lending from ADB, US$10 million in grant financing from ADB, and US$10 million in counterpart funds from the Government of Fiji). This component involves construction and supervision of the construction process to replace13 four critical bridges and their approach roads, all located on Queens Road in Viti Levu, to provide long- life crossings with improved resilience to natural hazards and climate change. This component will also finance the establishment and maintenance of a Project Management Unit (PMU) to support implementation progress. The following sub-components are proposed: 13 The existing bridges will be demolished as part of the project. Page 14 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979)  Sub-component 1.1 – Resilient Bridge Infrastructure (including supervision). The selected four bridges were informed by a Climate and Seismic 14 Vulnerability Assessment15 conducted as part of the design service prepared under TIIP due to their high exposure to natural hazards and climate change. Natural hazard and climate change considerations integrated in the bridge designs will enhance resilience and improve road network functionality through measures that would involve but not necessarily be limited to: wider two-lane carriageways, shoulders and pedestrian footpaths to help improve all weather-access for all road users including those with disabilities; increased hydraulic capacity by raising deck heights and increasing bridge lengths to better accommodate water levels and flows during flood events; and carefully designed foundations, substructures, superstructures and approaches including ground improvement as required to enable the crossings to remain operational during and after a significant climatic or seismic event. The additionality of the World Bank and ADB’s financing, which is focused on climate adaptation, is evidenced by the high resilient design standards that likely would not have been adopted if not for the Project.  Sub-component 1.2 – Project Management Unit (PMU). This component will also finance the establishment and maintenance of a Project Management Unit to support implementation progress. The PMU would include, but not necessarily be limited to, individuals with specialist expertise in project management, bridge engineering and road engineering, procurement and contracts management, accounting and financial management, gender, and environmental and social safeguards. 14. Component 2: Spatial and Sector Planning Tools (Total: US$7.5 million, comprised of: US$3 million in concessional lending from ADB and US$4.5 million in grant financing from ADB). This component involves technical assistance that will directly support Fiji by bringing about transformative change in addressing natural hazards and climate change in the transport sector with a focus on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of the population. The following sub-components are proposed:  Sub-Component 2.1 – Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Transport Sector Strategy (VA and RTSS). This sub-component includes preparation, implementation and updating of a transport sector VA and a RTSS to assess levels of vulnerability to climate change and severe weather events (e.g., sea-level rise, extreme rainfall, landslide, storm surge, etc.) across Fiji’s existing transport network.  Sub-Component 2.2 – VA and RTSS-informed feasibility studies and designs. A selection of near to medium term transport related works will be designed16 to enhance the resilience of the Fiji’s transport network to climate change impacts and natural hazards, in accordance with the recommendations from the VA and RTSS.  Component 2.3 – Climate-informed Asset Management Plan(s). This sub-component will strengthen Fiji’s decision-making capacity for asset management planning, which is critical to enhancing network resilience. The activity may include but not necessarily be limited to plans that guide maintenance priorities and schedules, or that suggest upgrades to FRA’s road asset management system to incorporate natural hazard and climate change data/variables (e.g., through systems integration with the FCBRP VA and RTSS) 14 Seismic pertaining to, of the nature of, or caused by an earthquake or vibration of the earth, whether due to natural or artificial causes. 15 Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) and Disaster Risk Assessment (DRA), 27 March 2024. 16 Construction to be conducted under future projects with financing sources to be determined. Page 15 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) 15. Component 3: Strengthening the Enabling Environment (US$7 million in concessional lending from ADB). This Component will provide technical assistance to strengthen FRA’s capacity to manage transport network assets. The following sub-components are proposed:  Sub-component 3.1 – Capacity Building for Bridge and Jetty Maintenance Inspection and Prioritization Program. Capacity building support will be extended to strengthen the maintenance regime for bridges and jetties. This would help to ensure that the assets are operating at a level that is “fit for their intended purpose,” and that risks of failure are managed to ensure safety of users, while minimizing the financial investment required.  Sub-component 3.2 – Gender Program. To promote women's access to and retention in technical and management roles, the Project will support (i) improvement of HR policies for hiring and career development opportunities; (ii) provide on-the-job training and paid internship opportunities 17; and (iii) ensure a gender fair, friendly and safe environment within FRA by developing and implementing a gender policy and action plan which FRA currently does not have. Table 1. Project Financing Component Component IDA / IBRD ADB GoF cost (US$ contribution contribution contribution million) (US$ (US$ (US$ million) million) million) 1. Climate Resilient Infrastructure Solutions (i.e., 180.00 50.00 120.00 10.00 construction of critical replacement bridges, and associated construction supervision and project administration) 2. Sectoral and Spatial Planning Tools 7.50 7.50 3. Strengthening the Enabling Environment 7.00 7.00 Project Cost 194.50 50.00 134.50 10.00 ADB Financial Charges 5.0 5.0 World Bank Front-end Free .0625 .0625 Total Project Cost 199.5625 50.00 134.50 15.0625 Notes: Cost estimates for component 1 include an estimated US$40 million in contingencies for price and physical contingencies and a provision for exchange rate fluctuation. Counterpart financing is for taxes, duties, land acquisition and resettlement costs, government salaries and overheads, ADB interest charges, and the World Bank front-end fee. E. Role of Partners Table 2. Role of Partners Name of Partner Nature of Involvement /Description Asian The ADB is involved in the Project through project implementation and co-financing with Development the World Bank, providing a total of US$134.5 million in concessional lending and grant Bank financing. Specifically, ADB is co-financing Component 1 on Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions by contributing US$110 million in concessional lending and 17 These will be institutionalized internships programs that are paid and for a duration of more than six months. Page 16 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) US$10 million in grant financing. ADB is exclusively financing Component 2 on Spatial and Sector Planning Tools through US$3 million in concessional lending and US$4.5 million in grant financing. ADB is also exclusively financing Component 3 on Strengthening the Enabling Environment through US$7 million in concessional lending. ADB is the lead co- financier and the World Bank is co-financier. ADB will exercise procurement oversight under alternative procurement arrangements through a risk-based approach comprising prior and post reviews; the World Bank will serve as focal point on social safeguards and the ADB will serve as focal point on environmental safeguards. F. Lessons Learned and Reflected in the Project Design 16. The Project has integrated lessons learned from TIIP and other recent transport projects in the Pacific to ensure a high level of project readiness. While TIIP successfully delivered its outputs, it faced significant delays due to low project readiness, particularly in detailed design availability and procurement. To avoid these issues, The Project is designed to achieve the highest level of readiness by incorporating best practices. Detailed designs have been completed and procurement processes for key activities (i.e., works, supervision consultancy for the works, and PMU consultancies) are expected to be completed shortly after effectiveness, utilizing all available ADB and World Bank instruments to facilitate smoother and more efficient implementation. 17. Based on lessons learned from TIIP and previous projects in the PCRTP, the Project incorporated principles of advanced environmental and social (E&S) risk management, worker safety, and resettlement by integrating these practices while the design service was prepared under the preceding TIIP . In so doing, the Project proactively ensures compliance with international standards by addressing any E&S concerns early in the Project lifecycle, thereby preventing delays and ensuring the well-being of affected communities and workers. 18. Conservative contingencies are incorporated into the Project design to account for physical and price contingencies for works and technical assistance, as well as a provision for foreign exchange rate fluctuation. The small size and remoteness of PICs significantly impact costs, often unpredictably. Lessons learned from other World Bank and ADB-supported transport projects in PICs, such as Kiribati, highlight the importance of incorporating conservative contingencies 18 . For the Project, these contingencies are crucial to address the complexities of high climate and seismic design standards, including complex ground improvements to address seismic risk, which are unprecedented in Fiji and lack benchmark cost data from other countries in the region. III. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION A. Institutional and Implementation Arrangements 19. The implementation arrangements will generally follow those of TIIP, with Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics (MoF) as the executing agency, FRA as the implementing agency, ADB as the lead co-financier and the World Bank as co-financier. The co-financing arrangements between ADB and the World 18 World Bank, Implementation Completion and Results Report for the Kiribati Road Rehabilitation Project, Report No, ICR00004673, (2019). Page 17 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Bank will be established in a separate Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the two organizations prior to project effectiveness. In addition, in view of the satisfactory outcome of the distribution of roles under TIIP, similar arrangements will be replicated for the Project. Specifically, ADB will take the lead on the procurement, the World Bank will serve as focal point on social safeguards and the ADB will serve as focal point on environmental safeguards. 20. The World Bank and ADB teams have agreed on a common approach and framework to address each donor’s respective environmental and social requirements, as well as financial management and disbursement arrangements. Similar to TIIP, and at the request of FRA, both teams have also agreed that FRA will rely on and apply the procurement rules and procedures of the ADB, the lead co-financier. The ADB will take the lead in providing the procurement implementation support and procurement oversight. Using one of the organizations’ procedures to procure works, goods and services would eliminate the need to carry out separate tenders according to different procedures. It would also allow for co-financing, where funding from each agency would finance a portion of each project activity. 21. The Project would be the third project FRA implemented with the World Bank. FRA is familiar with and has adopted internationally accepted tendering practices and requirements for environmental impact assessments/environmental and social management plans and land acquisition and resettlement plans (LARPs). 22. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) established under TIIP will continue to provide guidance to FRA during implementation. The PSC will have representatives from MoF, MPWTMS, and FRA, and will be chaired by MoF. A PMU would be established and maintained within FRA to implement the Project. A Project Administration Manual (PAM) similar to that used under TIIP that defines procedures for implementing the Project will be jointly approved with ADB prior to effectiveness. In addition, the World Bank and ADB will sign a MoU prior to effectiveness defining how both agencies would respond to issues during implementation, including technical, procurement, financial management and safeguards aspects of the Project. 23. The proposed implementation arrangements are depicted in Figure 3 below: Page 18 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Figure 3. The Project’s Implementation Arrangements Notes: Contractor for Package A refers to the contractor that constructs Medraukutu Bridge and Lami Bridge. Contractor for Package B refers to the contractor that constructs Viseisei Bridge and Sabeto Bridge. B. Results Monitoring, Evaluation, and Verification Arrangements 24. To ensure effective monitoring and evaluation, several measures will be taken. Members of the PMU will be required to have demonstrated skills in data collection, collation and reporting, preferably on Bank projects. Secondly, this expertise will be bolstered with support from the World Bank and ADB through the provision of reporting templates and feedback on reports. In addition, some of the results indicators have been aligned with those currently used by FRA, which has well established data collection methods. Those indicators that FRA does not routinely gather will not impose additional costs as data and information needed to calculate them are readily available. 25. FRA will issue quarterly progress reports that will cover the period ending the last day of March, June, September and December. These will be shared with both the World Bank and ADB within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. A mid-term review will be carried out approximately three years from the Project’s effectiveness date, Page 19 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) and an Implementation Completion Report completed within six months of the end of project implementation. FRA will also monitor progress against agreed performance indicators. The supervision consultants will work closely with and provide regular updates to the PMU Manager about project progress. C. Disbursement Arrangements 26. Disbursement Methods. The disbursement methods to be used under this project will be advance, direct payment and reimbursement. For larger project payments, the direct payment method can be used by the Project, and the withdrawal application enables funds to flow directly from the WB to the supplier. Adequate documentation will need to be maintained to ensure easy reconciliation of payments made from the Designated Account to payments authorized by the Project. 27. Designated Account (DA). A DA for the implementing agency will be established in Fijian Dollars and will be held at a bank acceptable to the World Bank. The DA ceiling will be FJD 5M and the minimum application for direct payment and reimbursement will be FJD 200,000. The Project Accountant will maintain a ‘Statement of Expenditure’ (SOE) to document eligible project expenditures in client connection 28. Disbursement Categories. Disbursement categories are defined in the legal agreement, and will include works, goods, consulting and non-consulting services, and training. Expenditure amounts will be inclusive of taxes and duties. IV. PROJECT APPRAISAL SUMMARY A. Technical and Economic Analysis 29. Technical Analysis. For Component 1, the technical solutions used in the detailed design of the four bridges and their approach roads, are generally based on tried and tested construction technology, materials and methodology that have been adapted to suit local Fiji conditions. The bridges are all designed with concrete piled foundations, in-situ reinforced concrete abutments and piers, with combined pre-stressed and in-situ reinforced concrete superstructures. Approach roads will generally be on preloaded embankments to avoid excessive settlement. Extensive ground improvements in the form of high modulus lattice cells have been incorporated where required into the design of all four replacement bridges, which will provide a significant level of seismic resilience to the bridge structures and approach roads. Under Component 2, technical work by specialist consultants and GoF counterparts will focus on developing sectoral and spatial planning tools, which will enable policymakers to make informed decisions in addressing natural disaster and climate change risks to build resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population. 30. The Project will make significant investments in a range of climate resilient infrastructure solutions under Component 1. Design of civil and structural works (already completed under TIIP) conforms fully to international design codes of practice such as Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia for bridge and road designs. Specifications for all works and materials will also be in accordance with international standards, making use of innovative materials and approaches as appropriate to enhance climate resilience. Activities will involve the replacement of critical bridge assets to improve their resilience to climate-related and natural hazards and/or events. This will generally include raising the bridge level and lengthening the bridge, ground improvement to Page 20 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) increase seismic resilience, strengthening the profile of approach roads, with improvements to longitudinal and cross drainage, slope stabilization and ground improvement as required. 31. The Project is aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement on both mitigation and adaptation. 32. The Project is consistent with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 19 , the National Adaptation Plan (NAP)20, and the Low Emission Development Strategy (LDS)21. On mitigation, Fiji’s targets focus on the energy and transports sectors. This project does not hinder the achievement of these goals. On adaptation, Fiji commits to upgrading, repairing, and relocating new and existing critical public infrastructure to enhance resilience to cyclones and floods, prioritizing nature-based solutions, and building future infrastructure with climate change considerations. This project will directly contribute to these efforts. 33. Assessment and reduction of mitigation risks. Activities supported include the upgrade and reconstruction of critical bridges with minor enhancement of capacity for resilience, road safety, emergency services and/or accessibility purposes, technical studies, systems development, trainings, and capacity building and are all universally aligned. In addition, the Project will increase the efficiency of transportation network and contributes to the efficient use of fuel through reducing congestion, time savings, and reducing environmental impacts. 34. Assessment and reduction of adaptation risks. The inherent level of risk from climate hazards to the operation is high, as Fiji is highly exposed to sea level rise, intensified storm surge, increased precipitation, and flooding. Specifically, climate change risks and vulnerability to floods and sea level rise will be managed and mitigated through targeted adaptation measures, by combining structural, nature-based, and soft adaptation solutions. Infrastructure improvements on the four bridges will not only reduce vulnerability to flooding through increased hydraulic capacity but will also strengthen transport network redundancy, enhancing the resilience of transport systems in the event of climate-related shocks. The rehabilitated bridges will reflect climate adaptation considerations by integrating cost-effective structural and nature-based adaptation measures (i.e., planting vegetation such as mangroves) that mitigate flood risks identified in climate vulnerability assessments. The project makes possible the all-season emergency evacuation and response route around Viti Levu Island in the event of flooding or storm surges resulting from cyclones and extreme weather events. Thus, the residual climate physical risks after project interventions are reduced to a moderate level and are thus acceptable. 35. The Project will enable FRA to strengthen the operational resilience of the road network to climate risks through supporting activities relating to bridge maintenance and asset management resulting in enhanced preparedness and response to extreme climate events. In the longer-term, other capacity building and institutional strengthening activities related to climate and disaster risk management will further enhance FRA capacity, to manage the infrastructure, reinforcing the climate resilience and adaptation goals of the Project. 36. Economic Analysis. Fiji has large needs for support in making its infrastructure more resilient to climate change and natural disasters. Bridges are among the most vulnerable infrastructure assets, and severe damage to road networks have disruptive effects for all users, including a loss of access to other critical infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, schools, port facilities, power plants, and airports) and services. To address this challenge, the Project will finance activities to systematically improve the resilience of the road network to natural hazards and climate 19 Fiji’s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution, 2020. 20 Republic of Fiji National Adaptation Plan, 2018. 21 Fiji Low Emission Development Strategy 2018-2050, 2018. Page 21 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) change. In addition, by supporting more reliable road transport infrastructure, the livelihoods and quality of life of Fijians will be improved. The economic benefits are principally reductions in costs faced by road users, and are mostly comprised of vehicle operating cost savings, travel time savings and reduction in safety risks, and to a marginal extent, a reduction in emissions of local and global pollutants. The economic costs are those faced by the Government agency, in this case the Fiji Roads Authority and include land acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance costs of the road and bridge infrastructure, both for the proposed new bridges or for the existing bridges (and their potential urgent replacement should they fail) during the period considered for the economic analysis. 37. Due to the degraded nature of the existing bridges, structural failure is a possibility within the considered time horizon, particularly when there is a hazard risk such as flooding or seismic events. The benefits associated with the upgrade and reconstruction of these bridges are avoided costs which would occur should one or more of these bridges collapse or become impassable for a certain period. In such cases, there are substantial costs to users due to the need to use longer alternative routes or even worse if there is no immediate feasible diversion route around the bridge site; for some unplanned closures, it indeed takes time to either implement a temporary culverted causeway or a Bailey bridge to restore the road link while a replacement bridge is being constructed. During this time, trips that would usually use the bridge will either require a diversion or will become infeasible, resulting in economic losses for road users. 38. To account for these risks and associated costs, a probability of failure is assumed for each existing bridge, that is, how likely the existing bridge is to fail or become unusable and how this likelihood changes over time. These probabilities are calculated based on inspection reports provided by FRA, recent site visits, and specific risks and hazards at each site. Even if the existing bridges do not fail or do not become impassable, due to their degraded condition, the allowable load on a given bridge is reduced already and may have to be reduced further within the considered time horizon. This means more trips and associated vehicle operating costs, time losses, air pollution, congestion, etc. for the same amount of freight to be transported due to the need to break loads in smaller bits. 39. Other avoided costs are due to the premium incurred on emergency replacement costs in case a bridge needs to be urgently replaced versus as part of a planned program of works. This is due to the relatively small and isolated nature of the contract required in an emergency scenario and the requirement for fast reinstatement. The impact of floods is also expected to be reduced with the resilient design of the new bridges including higher deck levels, leading to a reduction in the average number of days during which these bridges are unusable until the water recedes (but not permanently damaged).The severity of floods is expected to increase over the life of these bridges which means that benefits associated with fewer days of bridge closures will increase over time compared to the do-minimum scenario. To end with, due to footpath improvements, it is assumed that there will be a reduction in the number of injury crashes involving pedestrians and even head-on collisions. 40. Each site was assessed based on cost–benefit analysis which compares two scenarios for each bridge site: i. Do Minimum: A replacement bridge is implemented only if the existing bridge fails (i.e., becomes unusable or deemed unsafe to be used). This is used as the baseline for the bridge replacement option to be compared against ii. Option: A replacement bridge is proactively implemented at a predetermined time. This scenario represents the option considered, i.e., the proposed project. Page 22 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) 41. The economic analysis considered a period of 28 years (2025-2053), and a 6 percent discount rate. 22 The Project has an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of 10.8 percent and Net Present Value (NPV) of US$ 55.14 million. Sensitivity analysis with likely adverse variations in costs and benefits indicate that the Project's economic viability remains satisfactory. In addition, sensitivity analysis was run for economic viability at a discount rate of 9 percent for base case to reflect a more conservative scenario. Lastly, given the high contingency built into the Project cost estimate, EIRR and NPV were also calculated for situations where the total cost might turn out to be lower by 10 percent and 20 percent. 42. As per Table 3, sensitivity analysis was carried out to test the effects of adverse changes in key parameters that determine the Project benefits and costs. Four scenarios were tested: (i) increase in total costs by 15 percent, (ii) decrease in total benefits by 15 percent, (iii) delay in construction by one year, and (iv) increase in total costs by 15 percent and decrease in total benefits by 15 percent. The table also shows the results for a discount rate of 9 percent and reduced construction costs as mentioned earlier. Table 3: Result of the Sensitivity Analysis Economic Internal Rate of Net Present Value at 6.0% Net Present Value at 6.0% Scenario Return (%) (F$ million) (US$ million) Base 10.8 122.53 55.14 Construction costs increased by 9.3 96.93 43.62 15.0% Project benefits reduced 15.0% 9 77.44 34.85 Construction delay by one year 10.3 113.83 51.22 Construction costs increased by 7.6 44.48 20.02 15.0% and benefits reduced by15.0% Base case at discount rate of 9% 10.8 33.7 15.39 Construction costs decrease by 10% 12.6 149.02 67.06 Construction costs decrease by 20% 14.9 175.50 78.98 43. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An analysis of GHG emissions was undertaken based on fuel consumption under both the With-Project and Do-Minimum scenarios. Without the Project, due to the deteriorated nature of the bridges, it is expected that the allowable load on the bridge may have to be reduced within a short time horizon and heavy commercial vehicles will have to take a detour if alternate routes are available or be replaced by medium or light commercial vehicles to transport the goods. This will increase the number of vehicle-km driven and potentially the fuel consumed per vehicle-km as these secondary roads are often in poor condition requiring lower, less fuel-efficient speeds. 44. Total Net GHG emissions are estimated to be -4000 tCO2e over an evaluation period of 28 years, which includes the estimated construction emissions with-project. The Annual Average Net GHG emissions are -137.9 tCO2e/year. The social benefit from GHG reduction is estimated to be US$ 516,948 over 28 years, based on social 22 World Bank. 2016. Discounting Costs and Benefits in Economic Analysis of World Bank Projects. Was hington, D.C.: World Bank Group. Page 23 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) cost of emission reduction from the World Bank’s 2024 Guidance Note on Shadow Price of Carbon in Economic Analysis.23 45. Bridge failure scenario was not considered as none of the bridges have a viable alternate route. Therefore, until a temporary bridge is constructed, many trips will not happen, and the unavoidable trips will take longer route. B. Fiduciary 46. Financial Management (FM). An FM assessment was carried out in accordance with the “Financial Management Manual for World Bank Investment Project Financing Operations” issued in September 2021. The World Bank requires the borrower to maintain FM arrangements that are acceptable to the World Bank and that, as part of the overall arrangements for implementing the operation, provide reasonable assurance that the proceeds of the loan are used for the intended purposes. FM arrangements comprise the planning, budgeting, accounting, internal control, funds flow, financial reporting, and auditing arrangements of the entity or entities responsible for implementing Bank-financed operations. The assessment concludes that the existing FM arrangements at FRA satisfy the World Bank’s FM policy requirement, subject to the implementation of mitigation measures to address the identified risks. The main FM risks relate to the high turnover of staff, including finance team members, which may result in payment delays, weak internal controls, and project funds not being used for project purposes. FRA is expected to establish a PMU to support project implementation, with key staff hired not later than three months after the effectiveness date. The Project Accountant will be sourced from within the FRA finance team, under the new Project unit, and will undergo onboarding in World Bank guidelines and processes. Proposed funds flow arrangements require the establishment of a Designated Account (DA) to be maintained by FRA. As the DA holder, FRA will be required to manage project funds by preparing and submitting withdrawal applications to the Bank, preparing, and presenting fiscal semesterly interim unaudited financial reports (IFR) to the World Bank, and preparing annual financial statements and having them audited, presented to the World Bank, and published in accordance with the terms of The Project financing agreement. IFRs will be submitted to the World Bank within 45 days after each reporting period while audited financial statements will be submitted within six months after each financial year. The Project’s FM procedures will be detailed in the PAM. The World Bank FM team will provide ongoing training as part of implementation support for the Project. The risk is assessed as substantial. 47. Procurement. At the request of FRA, the Project will adopt the Alternative Procurement Arrangement (APA) instrument as per section III.F of the World Bank’s Policy “Procurement in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters” for all parts of the Project. Due to the scale and complexity of the project, and limited procurement capacity, FRA could face difficulties implementing the Project following two sets of rules and procedures in parallel. FRA will, therefore, rely on and apply the procurement rules and procedures of the ADB, the lead co- financier. The ADB will take the lead in providing the implementation support and monitoring of project procurement activities under the Project. The World Bank’s task team, in cooperation with ADB, will provide inputs to the technical aspects of the procurement documentation and guidance during implementation support missions. A Project Implementation Agreement to between the WB and ADB to support the application of the APA will be signed prior to effectiveness. A procurement risk assessment of FRA has been carried out and the procurement risk has been assessed as substantial. The main risks relate to the limited level of human resources (including procurement) within FRA to manage the Project activities, constraints related to the interest and capacity of the contracting industry to respond to FRA’s needs, and lack of vigorous public oversight. 23 World Bank. 2024 Guidance Note on Shadow Price of Carbon in Economic Analysis (English). Washington, D.C. : World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099553203142424068/IDU1c94753bb1819e14c781831215580060675b1 Page 24 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) C. Environmental, Social and Legal Operational Policies @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padlegalpolicy#doctemplate Legal Operational Policies Triggered? Projects on International Waterways OP 7.50 No Projects in Disputed Area OP 7.60 No 48. Environmental risk is classified as substantial. Whilst most environmental risks and impacts (e.g. erosion and sedimentation; generation of dust and noise; consumption of resources including aggregate, water and energy; hydrocarbon spills; minor greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; waste management; temporary impacts to ecosystem services) will be moderate as they are predictable, temporary and easily mitigated, an ecological assessment completed for the four bridge sites found that there are some migratory species (many of which are also restricted-range species) present which trigger ESF critical habitat criteria during migration. In addition, project works will include clearing/disturbance of mangroves which provide important ecosystem services. Whist these biodiversity risks are expected to be manageable through implementation on a biodiversity management and monitoring plan (BMMP), they could have impacts beyond the spatial extent of projects works in high value, sensitive areas if unmitigated. As such, the environmental risk has been classified as 'Substantial'. 49. The social risk is assessed as Moderate. Social risks relating to bridge and road construction activities include Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement, health and safety risks for workers and the community (noise, dust, traffic), the management of foreign workforce and the risk of increased gender-based violence (GBV), sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (SEA/SH). An estimated 2.8 ha of land (including 0.86 ha of customary land and 0.05 ha of freehold land) will be permanently acquired for bridge and approach road realignments and 1.7 ha temporarily acquired for diversion crossings during construction (including 0.3 ha of customary land and 0.04 ha of freehold land). Due diligence has identified severe impacts as two households are required to relocate and four small-scale businesses are to be displaced. A community park at one of the bridge sites will be affected and consultations with the community are ongoing to identify replacement land or amenity. Other land acquisition impacts are expected to have marginal or temporary impacts and priority has been to utilize state land where possible. Furthermore, construction works associated with the four bridges have the potential to cause temporary impacts on fishing resources which will be assessed by the Government through a Fisheries Impact Assessment (FIA) and will require compensation should the FIA confirm the impacts. These types of social risks can be managed through effective codes of practice for roadworks, training of workers and good supervision, compensation and assistance to affected persons together with good oversight of mitigation measures. It is expected that special attention will be needed to monitor and enforce compliance in the application of ESS2 (Labor and Working Conditions) and ESS4 (Community Health and Safety), since temporary work forces are expected. Engagement with landowners, local communities, and traditional/local leaders commenced early during the design process aimed at optimizing designs with respect to minimization of impacts and fostering community support. 50. Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) have been developed, consulted and disclosed for each of the two bridges work contracts. The above risks and impacts are expected to be mitigated or offset through implementation of the ESMPs and supporting BMMP. 51. Additionally, FRA developed, consulted and disclosed an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and Labor Management Procedures (LMP), prior to Appraisal. A PMU will be Page 25 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) established early in project implementation that includes environmental and social specialists who will be supported by a construction supervision consultant that include its own environmental and social specialists as well as (a) health and safety specialist(s). E&S specialists will screen TA activities and TA outputs to ensure compliance with ESF and relevant local legal and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) requirements. 52. SEA and SH. The Project was screened using the World Bank’s ‘Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Risk Assessment Tool’ and was classified within the “Moderate Risk” category. In line with the World Bank’s Good Practice Note: Addressing SEA and SH in Investment Project Financing involving Major Civil Works,24 the Project will undertake actions to prevent, mitigate and address risks of SEA and SH related to the Project: i. A specific Grievance Mechanism (GM) pathway will be established for SEA and SH complaints to ensure survivor-centered approaches are applied, including the involvement of local GBV service providers. ii. All Project workers will sign a Codes of Conduct that specifically prohibits SEA and SH and complete training on the SEA and SH components of the Code of Conduct. iii. Information, education, and communication materials will be displayed in worksites and with project- affected communities on the Code of Conduct; and iv. Awareness raising will be conducted with the communities around project sites to ensure that they understand the requirements related to the Code of Conduct. 53. Gender gaps represent significant development challenges in Fiji. In line with the EAP regional priorities for Fiji identified in the Country Gender Action Plan, the Project will address gender gaps in economic opportunities. Fiji’s gender gap in Labor Force Participation remains high and particularly in rural areas, driven by low female Labor Force Participation (LFP); at 37 percentage points. Married women are significantly less likely to participate in the labor force; childbearing hinders female LFP with no such effect for men. When women do work, they are usually in less secure, informal jobs with lower productivity and earnings; and their share in the unpaid care economy remains extremely high. The care burden falls predominantly on women. When women do work, they earn on average two thirds of what men earn. As such, employment in the transport sector is also highly gendered and unequal. Women are currently underrepresented in technical positions at FRA which in turn limits the opportunities and avenues for incorporating women’s concerns and interests in transport sector policy and planning processes. To address the identified gender gaps, the Project embeds gender-sensitive solutions across proposed interventions, specifically under Component 3, to promote access to and retention of women in technical roles at FRA and access to wage employees in project activities. Progress will be measured by tracking the indicators 1. Reduction in the gap between percentage of men and women employed in technical roles within FRA, and 2. Percentage of wage employees in project activities who are female. (see annex 3). 54. Citizen Engagement. Effective stakeholder engagement and an environmental and social monitoring system developed through the TIIP project will be further refined to support regular consultations (in relations to construction related activities) with all stakeholders and project-affected people during implementation. To reach as many stakeholders as possible in an inclusive way, stakeholder engagement and public participation activities will use both traditional (community meetings and focus groups) and innovative participatory tools (use of social media and web-based platforms). Specific actions and tools have been included in the Project’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), as designed and agreed with project-affected parties during the preparation phase. The Project will support capacity building, targeting community monitoring actors including local NGOs, community focal points, the Project implementation unit, as well as elected officials. The outreach and consultations will provide space for the Project to explain to the communities the Project activities, environment and social risks related to the Project implementation phase, including SEA and SH and gender-based violence, as well as the grievance redress mechanisms available. The project administration manual (PAM) will describe grievance redress 24 World Bank, Good Practice Note: Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment in Investment Project Financing involving Major Civil Works (2020) http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/632511583165318586/ESF-GPN-SEASH-in-major-civil-works.pdf Page 26 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) mechanisms and will include entry points through which beneficiaries and stakeholders can submit grievances or queries. Grievance Redress Services: Grievance Redress. Communities and individuals who believe that they are adversely affected by a project supported by the World Bank may submit complaints to existing project-level grievance mechanisms or the Bank’s Grievance Redress Service (GRS). The GRS ensures that complaints received are promptly reviewed in order to address project- related concerns. Project affected communities and individuals may submit their complaint to the Bank’s independent Accountability Mechanism (AM). The AM houses the Inspection Panel, which determines whether harm occurred, or could occur, as a result of Bank non-compliance with its policies and procedures, and the Dispute Resolution Service, which provides communities and borrowers with the opportunity to address complaints through dispute resolution. Complaints may be submitted to the AM at any time after concerns have been brought directly to the attention of Bank Management and after Management has been given an opportunity to respond. For information on how to submit complaints to the Bank’s Grievance Redress Service (GRS), visit http://www.worldbank.org/GRS. For information on how to submit complaints to the Bank’s Accountability Mechanism, visit https://accountability.worldbank.org. V. KEY RISKS 55. Overall risk rating – Moderate. The risk ratings for the Project have been identified using the Systematic Operations Risk-Rating Tool (SORT). The main risks presented in Table 4 below involve: (i) macroeconomic risk, (ii) environmental and social risk, and (iii) fiduciary risk. Table 4. Main Risks Summary Risk Risk Rating Mitigation Macroeconomic - Fiji is vulnerable to Substantial The risks are mitigated through measures such as commodity price shocks, weaker-than- active contingent disaster financing lines (e.g., US$40 expected global growth, and natural million WB Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option disasters. These risks, if materialized, could and a US$75 million standby credit from the Japan divert the Government’s attention from International Cooperation Agency) and the ongoing implementing the Project and could pose a dialogue with the Government on reforms to build threat to the achievement of the PDO. fiscal, climate, and disaster resilience through the World Bank and other development partners’ investment, technical assistance, and policy support. Environmental and Social - Most Substantial Mitigation measures have been reflected in the environmental and social risks are assessed Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment as Moderate. However, the overall rating is (ESIA) and a biodiversity management plan will be assessed as Substantial because developed prior to the commencement of works to environmental and social screening has achieve no net loss and, where feasible, a net gain of identified the potential for the disturbance biodiversity. As such, biodiversity impacts are of small areas of natural and critical habitat, expected to be small-scale, temporary and reversible. including mangroves, during bridge Technical assistance activities are expected to have similar downstream risks and impacts and will be Page 27 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) replacement through the completion of an managed through the integration of ESF requirements ecological assessment. into terms of reference in accordance with the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP). Fiduciary - FRA’s FM performance on TIIP Substantial To help mitigate these risks, additional fiduciary was rated as “moderately satisfactory” capacity will be provided by the PMU’s Portfolio and since July 2020. However, financial reports Contracts Manager and the Project Accountant to be were often significantly late, one audit was financed under component 1. qualified, and there was an expenditure issue relating to advance payment. The main procurement risks relate to limited level of human resources (including procurement) within FRA to manage the Project activities, constraints related to the interest and capacity of the contracting industry to respond to FRA’s needs, and lack of vigorous public oversight. Page 28 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project(P180979) ANNEX 1. RESULTS FRAMEWORK @#&OPS~Doctype~OPS^dynamics@padannexresultframework#doctemplate PDO Indicators by PDO Outcomes Baseline Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Closing Period Improve the resilience of Fiji's road network to natural hazards and climate change Number of critical bridges newly constructed or rehabilitated with measures to improve resilience to natural hazards and climate change (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 136,680 277,695 414,375 555,390 Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services - Female (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 67,688 137,522 205,210 275,044 Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services - Youth (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 45,369 92,177 137,545 184,353 People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 136,680 277,695 414,375 555,390 People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure - Female (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 67,688 137,522 205,210 275,044 People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure - Youth (Number of people) CRI Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 45,369 92,177 137,545 184,353 Intermediate Indicators by Components Page 29 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project(P180979) Baseline Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Closing Period Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions Number of bridges with increased hydraulic capacity (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 Number of bridges with seismic resilient ground improvements (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 Number of bridges newly constructed or rehabilitated incorporating gender informed design features (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 Spatial and Sector Planning Tools Climate informed asset management plan in use (Yes/No) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Identified planning tools adopted and being used to improve the climate resilience of the road network (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Transport Sector Strategy in use (Yes/No) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Strengthening the Enabling Environment Percentage of wage employees in project activities who are female (Percentage) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 10 10 10 10 Percentage of contractor staff trained on SEA and SH components of the Codes of Conduct (Percentage) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 Enabling environment solutions identified and implemented for enhanced climate resilience (Number) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 Bridge and Jetty maintenance inspection and prioritization program in place (Yes/No) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Page 30 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project(P180979) Reduction in the gap between percentage of men and women employed in technical roles within FRA (Percentage) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 0 5 10 10 15 Grievances registered related to delivery of project benefits that are addressed (Percentage) Nov/2024 Nov/2025 Nov/2026 Nov/2027 Nov/2028 Nov/2029 Nov/2030 Dec/2031 0 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 Page 31 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: PDO Indicators by PDO Outcomes Improve the resilience of Fiji's road network to natural hazards and climate change Number of critical bridges newly constructed or rehabilitated with measures to improve resilience to natural hazards and climate change (Number) "Climate resilient" will be determined when climate resilience enhancements - recommended by the VA Consultant Description and/or Design Consultant and measured as intermediate outputs of the project – are undertaken through project works and the improved bridge is in use. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Site Inspections Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services (Number of people) CRI People directly benefiting from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure or services that have been built Description or rehabilitated through financed interventions (e.g., climate-resilient bridges). Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services - Female (Number of people) CRI Number of women directly benefiting from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure or services that have Description been built or rehabilitated through financed interventions (e.g., climate-resilient bridges). Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Direct users that benefit from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure and services - Youth (Number of people) CRI Number of youths directly benefiting from improved access to sustainable transport infrastructure or services that have Description been built or rehabilitated through financed interventions (e.g., climate-resilient bridges). Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure (Number of people) CRI The number of people benefitting directly and indirectly from improved climate risk management and increased climate Description resilience due to investments and activities by the project. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Page 32 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure - Female (Number of people) CRI The number of women benefitting directly and indirectly from improved climate risk management and increased climate Description resilience due to investments and activities by the project. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection People benefiting from climate resilient infrastructure - Youth (Number of people) CRI The number of youths benefitting directly and indirectly from improved climate risk management and increased climate Description resilience due to investments and activities by the project. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of latest traffic data and census report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: Intermediate Results Indicators by Components Resilient Bridge Infrastructure Solutions Number of bridges with increased hydraulic capacity (Number) Cumulative number of newly constructed or rehabilitated bridges to handle a greater volume of water flow, thereby Description reducing the risk of flooding and improving resilience to climate-related events. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Site Inspections Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Number of bridges with seismic resilient ground improvements (Number) Cumulative number of bridges that have been upgraded or constructed with enhancements to withstand seismic Description activities. These improvements typically involve ground stabilization techniques and the use of materials and designs that enhance the bridge's ability to endure earthquakes, thereby ensuring the s resilience of the infrastructure. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Site Inspections Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Number of bridges newly constructed or rehabilitated incorporating gender informed design features (Number) Description Cumulative number of newly constructed or rehabilitated bridges incorporating gender informed design features. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Site Inspections Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Page 33 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Collection Spatial and Sector Planning Tools Climate informed asset management plan in use (Yes/No) Description Climate informed asset management plan created and in use. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Verification with Fiji Government counterparts Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Identified planning tools adopted and being used to improve the climate resilience of the road network (Number) A cumulative measure of the uptake of analytical and sectoral planning tools (i.e., road asset management system, and Description vulnerability assessment tools) that improves the way that climate change is addressed in Fiji's road sector. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Stocktake of contracts completed and planning tools in use Collection Responsibility for Data PST (FRA) Collection Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Transport Sector Strategy in use (Yes/No) Description Vulnerability Assessment and Resilient Transport Sector Strategy completed and used to inform the works design. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Stocktake of contract completed and verification with Fiji Government counterparts Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Strengthening the Enabling Environment Percentage of wage employees in project activities who are female (Percentage) Description Wage employment generated by project activities allocated to females. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Count of men and women employed Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Percentage of contractor staff trained on SEA and SH components of the Codes of Conduct (Percentage) Description Percentage of contractor staff trained on SEA and SH components of the Codes of Conduct. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of supervision consultant report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Enabling environment solutions identified and implemented for enhanced climate resilience (Number) An ‘enabling environment solution’ is defined as a consulting service or goods contract that delivers outputs that Description strengthen institutional and regulatory functions. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Stocktake of contracts completed and solutions in use Page 34 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Bridge and Jetty maintenance inspection and prioritization program in place (Yes/No) Preparation and implementation of policy and capacity building actions for FRA to establish and maintain a bridge and Description jetty inspection program including condition assessment, definition of repairs required, preparation of cost estimates, and prioritization level. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Review of supervision consultant report Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Reduction in the gap between percentage of men and women employed in technical roles within FRA (Percentage) Description A measure of the reduction in the gender gap by percentage points. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Count of men and women employed Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Grievances registered related to delivery of project benefits that are addressed (Percentage) Description A measure of citizen engagement. Corporate requirement. Frequency Semesterly Data source Project Progress Reports Methodology for Data Count of grievances registered Collection Responsibility for Data PMU (FRA) Collection Page 35 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) ANNEX 2: IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND SUPPORT PLAN Project Institutional and Implementation Arrangements 1. The executing agency will be the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics (MoF), and the implementing agency will be FRA. This would be the third time FRA has worked with the World Bank, and it has experience in implementing projects financed by ADB (e.g., through TIIP). FRA have experience in road asset management with its program of road sector capital works and maintenance. FRA is familiar with internationally accepted tendering practices and requirements for environmental impact assessments/environmental and social management plans, and land acquisition and resettlement plans (LARPs). The 2005 Environmental Management Act requires that any proposal to be financed by any international or local development finance institution be supplemented by an EIA as a condition of finance . 2. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) established under TIIP will continue to provide guidance to FRA during implementation. The PSC will provide general oversight and policy direction and review progress and the results of periodic monitoring and evaluation activities. The PSC will have representatives from MoF, MPWTMS, and FRA and will be chaired by MoF. However, membership in the PSC may be expanded to include representation from other stakeholders, if needed, to strengthen coordination and implementation. The PSC will meet on a semi- annual basis, or more frequently, as needed. 3. A PMU will be established and maintained to support FRA in implementing the Project. The PMU will include individuals with specialist expertise in bridges and roads, procurement/project management, accounting and financial management, gender, and environmental and social safeguards. The PMU, under the guidance of FRA, will have responsibility for overseeing and managing project execution and compliance with project requirements, including those associated with procurement, financial management and auditing, safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, and project reporting. 4. A project administration manual (PAM)25 similar to that used under TIIP will be jointly developed with ADB that defines procedures for implementing the Project. This will complement FRA’s existing operations manual. The project will be carried out in accordance with the arrangements and procedures set out in the PAM, which can be amended from time-to-time, provided all modifications are agreed with the World Bank in writing prior to any changes. 5. The World Bank and ADB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) defining how both organizations would respond to issues during implementation, including technical, procurement, financial management and safeguards aspects of the Project. Also relevant is the 2018 Procurement Framework agreement signed between ADB and the World Bank. Both organizations agree to ensure the prompt delivery and exchange of information regarding the Project and when practical, will field joint missions during implementation to supervise progress. The MoU would take effect after the Boards of Directors of both organizations approve the Project. 25 The PAM is ADB’s equivalent to the World Bank’s Project Operations Manual. Page 36 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Financial Management, Disbursements and Procurement Financial Management 6. Risks and Mitigating Strategies. The Project will be implemented under a joint co-financing arrangement with ADB. The financial management (FM) risk associated with the loan is assessed as Substantial. The FRA has experience in implementing World Bank projects. FRA is setting up a PMU which will have a Project Accountant to handle the financial management responsibilities of the Project. To further strengthen FM internal controls and oversight, FRA has recently recruited an Internal Auditor. The Project will follow a common set of FM procedures integrating the World Bank and ADB processes similar to the format of the TIIP. These procedures will be detailed in the PAM. FM staff orientation and training will be provided as part of the World Bank’s regular FM implementation support. 7. Budgeting Arrangements. FRA will develop annual budgets for the Project that will be submitted to MoF annually for its inclusion in the Government’s annual budget (for loan funding drawdown and line ministry expenditure purposes). The budgets will be regularly monitored by FRA management, with reviews including analysis of actual expenditures against budget. 8. Flow of Funds. MoF will make loan proceeds available to FRA on a grant basis. Loan proceeds will flow from the World Bank into a Designated Account (DA). FRA will be responsible for the management, maintenance and reconciliation of DA activities, including preparation of withdrawal applications (WAs) and supporting documents for Bank disbursements. Authorized signatories on WAs will be senior staff from MoF. Arrangements for operating and managing the DA will be detailed in the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter (DFIL). 9. Accounting and Internal Controls. FRA will be responsible for operating and managing project accounting records. The Project will be integrated, as much as possible, with FRA’s existing accounting systems, including its internal controls and accounting procedures. Where necessary, spreadsheet-based systems will be maintained to meet reporting requirements and for the preparation of WAs. The Project will observe applicable government regulations. Original supporting documents will be retained by FRA in accordance with the legal agreements. To further strengthen FM internal controls and oversight, FRA has recently recruited an Internal Auditor. 10. Financial Reporting. FRA will prepare unaudited interim financial reports (IFRs) for the Project on a fiscal semester basis. The IFRs will include analyses of expenditures for the period, year to date, and project to date, and compared with total project budget, and commitments. The IFR design format will be included in the PAM. IFRs will be submitted to the World Bank within 45 days of the end of each fiscal semester as part of project reporting. The World Bank and ADB will also agree on the format for the annual financial statements, which will be prepared in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards’ cash basis of accounting. 11. Audits. Annual audits of the Project’s financial statements will be undertaken by an auditor acceptable to the World Bank. Annual audited financial statements, together with management letters, will be submitted to the World Bank no later than six months after the end of the fiscal year. It is envisaged that audits will be undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General, whose capacity is assessed as sufficient. Page 37 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) 12. Supervision. The Project’s FM arrangements will be reviewed by the World Bank’s financial management staff based on the assessed risk rating and at least twice per annum. The World Bank and ADB have agreed to field joint missions to supervise implementation. The MoU to be signed between the World Bank and ADB defines how both organizations would respond to issues associated with financial management during implementation. Disbursements 13. Disbursement Methods. The disbursement methods to be used under this project will be advance, direct payment and reimbursement. For larger project payments, the direct payment method can be used by the Project, and the withdrawal application enables funds to flow directly from the WB to the supplier. Adequate documentation will need to be maintained to ensure easy reconciliation of payments made from the Designated Account to payments authorized by the Project. 14. Designated Account (DA). A DA for the implementing agency will be established in Fijian Dollars and will be held at a bank acceptable to the World Bank. The DA ceiling will be FJD 5M and the minimum application for direct payment and reimbursement will be FJD 200,000. The Project Accountant will maintain a ‘Statement of Expenditure’ (SOE) to document eligible project expenditures in Client Connection. 15. Disbursement Categories. Disbursement categories are defined in the legal agreement, and will include works, goods, consulting and non-consulting services, and training. Expenditure amounts will be inclusive of taxes and duties. Procurement 16. Applicable Procurement Regulation. At the request of FRA, the Project will adopt the Alternative Procurement Arrangement (APA) instrument as per the section III.F of the World Bank’s Policy “Procurement in IPF and Other Operational Procurement Matters” for all parts of the Project. Due to the scale and complexity of the Project, and to limited procurement capacity, FRA could face difficulties implementing the Project following two sets of rules and procedures in parallel. FRA will, therefore, rely on and apply the procurement rules and procedures of the ADB, the lead co-financier. The ADB will take lead in providing the implementation support and monitoring of project procurement activities under the Project. The World Bank’s task team, in cooperation with ADB, will provide inputs to the technical aspects of the procurement documentation and guidance during implementation support missions. Project Implementation Agreement to be signed by the WB and ADB will be prepared to support the application of APA. 17. Procurement Risk Assessment. A procurement risk assessment of FRA has been carried out that the procurement risk has been assessed as substantial. The main risks relate to limited level of human resources (including procurement) within FRA to manage the Project activities, constraints related to the interest and capacity of the contracting industry to respond to FRA’s needs, and lack of vigorous public oversight. 18. As part of the Project’s preparation, FRA developed, with the support of a consultant, a “Strategic Procurement Planning Report”, which included, among other aspects, FRA’s own detailed procurement risk assessment. The main identified risk was that land acquisition may not be completed before site access dates, which will be mitigated by FRA signing off on land requirements when design concept is agreed to provide maximum possible Page 38 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) time for acquisition. Further, since FRA currently lacks sufficient resources to oversee implementation of project activities it will establish a PMU, which will include with specialist expertise in procurement, and will utilize Engineering Firms to design and supervise the works. Finally, FRA will adopt prequalification followed by rated criteria (or non-price factors or merit-points) when evaluating bids for civil works packages, with a weight of 70 percent for technical factors and 30 percent for price. By adopting this approach, FRA aims to achieve the optimal balance of ‘quality’ and ‘cost’ and realize the best value for money. 19. Exceptions to National Competitive Bidding (NCB) Procedures. ADB’s procurement risk assessment identified adjustments necessary for NCB, which would include an increase in advertisement time to a minimum of 28 days, and guidance on pass-fail criteria for evaluation of bids for goods and works. 20. Procurement Plan. FRA also developed as part of project preparation a procurement plan for the first 18 months of implementation, which contains two civil works packages estimated between USD40-60 million each and one consulting services contracts for provision of construction supervision services and portfolio manager. 21. Procurement of Works. The four bridges will be procured in two separate contracts (grouped according to geographic proximity) of similar value and technical requirements, being two separate, independent contracts to allow having different contractors to increase competition and spread contractor risk. The procurement agreement follows one-stage two-envelope with prequalification and the application of merit-point based criteria FRA has proceeded with advance contracting for the civil works packages and prequalification commenced in September 2023 and the deadline for the submission of applications was 31 October 2023. FRA received a total of nine applications. The prequalification proceeded in parallel with the finalization of the designs. Procurement will proceed after the finalization of the designs. 22. Procurement of Goods. While not in the current procurement plan, FRA may need to procure asset management hardware, road safety equipment, and other goods that can be utilized to improve the resilience of bridges or enable it to manage the broader road network more effectively. 23. Procurement of Consulting Services (Firms and Individuals). The current plan has FRA will hire one Engineering Firm to oversee the implementation of all three different construction contracts. The selection of the Firms commenced in October 2023 and FRA aims to finalize the shortlisting by February 2024. FRA may also need to hire a consultant for specialized technical services, project management, fiduciary, safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation services. 24. Prior-Review Thresholds. The procurement methods and prior review thresholds for different types of procurement, as defined by the ADB, will be reflected in the PAM. Environmental and Social (including safeguards) 25. FRA’s Environment Manager will be responsible for implementing environmental and social safeguards. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists both at an international and national level will be part of the Design and Supervision Consultant (DSC). These specialists will provide capacity building for screening, implementation and monitoring of ESMP requirements of each project works and activity. FRA will establish and maintain a PMU and has instituted safeguards monitoring procedures and will assign an Environmental Safeguards Specialist and a Page 39 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Social Safeguards Specialist as part of the PMU. 26. During project implementation, the World Bank and ADB will work jointly to ensure safeguards requirements are carried out in accordance with the approved ESMP, and LARPs and LMP and SEP. Joint missions with ADB will be conducted about every six months, or more frequently, if needed. At least once per year the missions will include safeguard specialists. Safeguards specialists will also work with counterparts to help ensure that the Project complies with all relevant safeguard frameworks and plans. The World Bank and ADB will be jointly involved in key safeguard activities, including screening of project activities, categorization and identification of appropriate instruments, clearing of EIAs ESMPs and LARPs, and issuing no-objection to start construction. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 27. FRA will issue quarterly progress reports that will cover the period ending the last day of March, June, September and December. These will be forwarded to the World Bank within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter. The quarterly reports will cover the entire project, both cumulatively and for the period covered by each report, and summarize progress several ways, including but not necessarily limited to reporting on overall progress by component and any technical challenges encountered, results framework monitoring and evaluation, procurement under the Project, including updated procurement plans, expenditures under contracts financed from all sources, estimated cost of the Project versus available funding, and estimates of project financing needs by quarter for the subsequent six months. 28. FRA will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the monitoring framework, and for reporting on progress in meeting performance targets (as outlined in the Results Framework in Section VII). Through its ongoing experience in managing the Project, FRA has demonstrated capacity to meet the M&E requirements of this project. 29. The World Bank and ADB will provide implementation support for Project on an on-going basis and visit Fiji to monitor and evaluate progress. In country mission support or virtual support will be provided every 3 – 6 months. 30. The Project will undergo a mid-term review no later than three years after the effective date of the Financing Agreement, or such other period as may be agreed, and an Implementation Completion Report will be prepared within six months of project closing. Role of Partners 31. The World Bank and ADB teams have agreed on a common approach and framework to address each donor’s respective environmental and social requirements, as well as financial management and disbursement arrangements. During implementation, procurement will be carried out using ADB’s procurement policies and procedures. As part of this approach, ADB and the World Bank will jointly carry out bi-annual missions to supervise project progress and implementation. At least one representative designated to speak on behalf of each partner will participate. ADB with World Bank input will prepare and issue reports, such as MoUs/Aide Memoires, at the end of each supervision mission. If a joint mission is not possible, the partners can field teams independently, but Page 40 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) will share all project documentation. Implementation Support Plan and Resource Requirements 32. The implementation support approach includes the following: a. Technical Guidance and Supervision. Joint missions with ADB will be conducted about every six months, or more frequently, if needed. The focus of engineering implementation support will be on (i) working closely with FRA, its own technical assistance and supervision consultants to review and provide technical advice on designs and specifications (including the normal reviews of bidding documents), (ii) working closely with FRA, its own technical assistance and supervision consultants to review ongoing technical assistance and physical works and provide advice on technical issues as they arise. b. Safeguards. The World Bank’s supervision team includes environmental and social safeguards specialists who will undertake safeguard supervision and monitoring of the Project. The World Bank’s team will work closely with the ADB team and bring in specific specialists on an as-needed basis. The World Bank team will supervise implementation of the social and environmental management instruments and provide guidance to PMU to address any issues. Technical supervision will include review of FRA’s quality monitoring records during normal supervision follow-up and take mitigating actions in the event quality issues are detected. c. Fiduciary. World Bank FM supervision will generally be conducted by on-site visits, at least twice a year or as the needs arise, based on the risk assessment of the Project. The supervision objective will be to ensure that financial management systems are adequately maintained throughout the life of the Project. The supervision will include a review of overall operation of the FM system, including transaction-testing and other areas deemed necessary during supervision. Capacity building needs will be assessed on an ongoing basis and addressed in collaboration with the implementing agency and project management. Table 2.1 Implementation Support Plan Time Focus Skills Needed Partner Role First 12 months Project launch and start-up Task Team Leader ADB to participate in Co-Task Team Leader joint missions and Procurement Specialist provide technical Senior Project Engineer support Project Engineer Financial Management Specialist Environmental Specialist Social Specialist GBV Specialist Administrative Support 12-72 months Project implementation Task Team Leader ADB to participate in Co-Task Team Leader joint missions and Procurement Specialist provide technical Senior Project Engineer support Page 41 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) Project Engineer Financial Management Specialist Environmental Specialist Social Specialist GBV Specialist Administrative Support Table 2.2 Skills Mix Required Skills needed Number of staff weeks Number of trips Task Team Leader 8 per year 2 per year Co-Task Team Leader 8 per year 2 per year Procurement Specialist 4 per year 1 per year Senior Project Engineer 4 per year 2 per year Project Engineer 4 per year 2 per year Financial Management Specialist 3 per year 2 per year Environmental Specialist 3 per year 2 per year Social Specialist 3 per year 2 per year GBV Specialist 3 per year 2 per year Administrative Support 3 per year 0.5 per year Partners Name Institution Role Asian Development Bank ADB / Manila, Philippines Ongoing support during implementation Page 42 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) ANNEX 3: GENDER ANALYSIS 1. Gender equality in Fiji remains a pressing challenge, with the 2023 World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report ranking the country 121 out of 146, highlighting gaps in women's economic participation and political empowerment. Since ratifying CEDAW in 1995, Fiji has made legislative progress and supports initiatives such as the Beijing Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focusing on gender equality. However, effective policy implementation is hindered by the isolation of economic and social policies, resulting in economic policies that lack gender considerations. 2. Female Labor force participation is lower than men despite women dominating enrollment in tertiary education . Fiji's labor force comprised 382,456 individuals, with women representing 38 percent of the population in 2022. However, female labor force participation was 30 percent lower than that of males in 2021, despite near gender parity in primary and secondary school enrollment. The 2023 Fiji Country Gender Assessment noted that primary net enrollment is 100 percent and secondary enrollment is 85 percent, with more girls transitioning to secondary school (97 percent) compared to boys (74 percent). Women dominate tertiary education enrollment (60-65 percent) but are underrepresented in technical and vocational training. 3. Gender gaps in education and skills hinder productivity and limit women's employment opportunities, often relegating them to administrative roles. A 2020 Market Development Facility report highlighted that more women are unemployed than men, and traditional gender roles restrict women's participation in entrepreneurship. Women disproportionately handle unpaid domestic work, impacting their work-life balance and agency in decision- making. 4. Gender imbalance is also a significant issue in Fiji's transport sector, even though data on women as transport workers and decision-makers is limited. There is a need for greater gender diversity in the workforce, particularly within organizations like the FRA, improving accessibility and inclusivity is essential for the development of the transportation sector. 5. The Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) operates under a robust legislative framework but lacks effective gender policies despite the Employment Relations Act promoting Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO ). FRA’s Corporate Plan highlights road safety initiatives yet neglects gender mainstreaming, as evidenced by the shelved Road to Equality (RtE) program. There is a stark underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles and inadequate collection of gender-disaggregated data. To address this, FRA must urgently develop a dedicated gender policy, integrate gender considerations in all project phases, and strengthen compliance with occupational health and safety standards. Embedding gender-inclusive conditions in contracts is also crucial for fostering a safer and more equitable environment. 6. To address significant gender disparity within the FRA, a review of the current recruitment practices is essential . The Corporate Plan states that FRA is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) provider, which recruits solely based on merit without considering gender. In 2022, FRA had 206 employees, with 80 percent male (164) and 20 percent female (41), predominantly in technical roles (77 percent). By April 2024, staff numbers dropped to 176, comprising 144 males (82 percent) and 32 females (18 percent), with the Delivery Department housing the most technicians. Recruitment is overseen by the Human Resources and Training Subcommittee (HRTS), which is also exclusively Page 43 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) male, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to improve gender balance, especially in technical positions. 7. The underrepresentation of women in technical positions at the FRA is linked to various factors, notably the low number of females graduating in technical fields. However, interviews with the TVET Department and the Fiji National University’s College of Engineering and Technical Vocational Education and Training (CETVET) reveal that female graduates in STEM subjects are on the rise, making up 20-25 percent of total graduates. Data indicates a growth in TVET graduates: 114 in 2020, 100 in 2021, 101 in 2022, and 128 in 2023. The Ministry of Education and CETVET stressed that institutions like FRA should proactively engage with tertiary schools to create pathways for female STEM students, including collaborations at events like Careers Expo to promote career opportunities and address skill gaps. 8. The FRA faces both challenges and opportunities in its staffing situation. While the reliance on government funding complicates salary competitiveness and staff retention, it also opens avenues for proactive recruitment policies targeting STEM graduates. The recently launched Attaché Program includes 21 students, with 13 females, six of whom are in technical roles, providing a pathway from education to employment at FRA. To enhance female representation in technical positions, FRA could emphasize in job advertisements that women are encouraged to apply, fostering a more diverse applicant pool. This proactive approach to recruitment is crucial for long-term success. 9. There is a critical need for gender training at all levels within the FRA. Interviews reveal that gender equality issues are not integrated into the organization, and while gender action plans and monitoring frameworks have been developed for specific projects, they remain project driven. The shelved Road to Gender Equality program exemplifies this gap. Effective gender-equality training equips staff with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful gender mainstreaming, which requires both a robust institutional framework and good organizational management. It is essential for all staff—from the Board to technical personnel—to receive this training, which should include evaluation and follow-up phases to assess its long-term impact. 10. Promoting gender equality in the workplace is crucial for enhancing diversity, boosting productivity, and improving staff morale. The FRA must proactively recruit both female and male STEM graduates to achieve balanced representation and mitigate staff resignations. As an Equal Employment Opportunity provider, FRA's merit-based recruitment should ensure equal pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities for all genders. Interviews with the Women in Construction (WIC) representative highlighted serious issues such as sexual harassment and inadequate facilities for women at job sites, which have contributed to some women leaving their positions due to discomfort and safety concerns (one in five women in Fiji report facing sexual harassment at work). The upcoming review and reorganization of FRA presents an ideal opportunity to embed gender equality into the workplace culture. Implementing mandatory annual gender equality training and considering parental leave policies in line with the Employment Relations (Revised Budget Amendment) Act 2022 would support young parents and enhance overall employee satisfaction. By prioritizing gender equality, FRA can foster a positive work environment and improve its organizational reputation. 11. Fiji is highly vulnerable to climate-related hazards, which disproportionately affect women and exacerbate existing inequalities. Recent flooding has disrupted livelihoods, increased women’s time poverty, and heightened their care responsibilities during crises, leading to greater risks of violence and economic deprivation. Inadequate infrastructure, especially in rural areas, limits women’s economic opportunities and mobility, making pedestrian transport increasingly difficult. Extreme weather events have caused power cuts, water rationing, and travel disruptions, while low-lying coastal areas face risks from storm surges and sea level rise. Women, who are heavily Page 44 The World Bank Fiji Critical Bridges Resilience Project (P180979) engaged in the informal sector through activities like handicrafts and agriculture, often suffer significant economic losses due to their lower incomes and the vulnerability of their work to environmental hazards. Therefore, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies must address gender-specific needs and responsibilities to enhance resilience and improve outcomes for women. 12. To address these gender gaps, the Project will prioritize gender equity by supporting 1 . Gender Inclusive Infrastructure: Design bridges with enhanced safety features while raising awareness and training staff, contractors, and construction workers on gender issues. This will ensure meaningful participation of women during construction and effective grievance redressal mechanisms. 2. Vulnerability Assessments and Resilience Building: Conducting gender-focused social vulnerability assessments and providing training on climate change impacts. At least one innovative project will be developed specifically to address the needs of women and vulnerable populations. Comprehensive Gender Policy Development: by implementing a robust gender policy for FRA that emphasizes gender-responsive HR policies and procedures, capacity building for FRA staff in development and executing gender inclusive project, supporting internships and on-the job training for women and girls in technical roles and increasing awareness and sensitization about gender barriers for women in the transport sector and issues such as SEA and SH at the workplace. 13. Furthermore, the gender Assessment has identified constraints and risks to women and other socially vulnerable groups that may arise from expanding employment opportunities – including concerns related to Gender-Based Violence and sexual harassment and develop actions to mitigate such risks. With women and children commonly more reliant on pedestrian travel, road and bridge designs will include features for enhanced pedestrian safety, such as walkways, guardrails, and streetlights. Also, drawing on earlier gender assessments and consultations with women for the design of TIIP, some bridges where it is appropriate, stairways will be constructed to provide safe access from the road level to the waterway below to enable washing of clothes. Page 45